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THE LUNG MERDIAN Tianfu (Lu 3) Xiabai (Lu 4) Chize (Lu 5) if there is liver disease, tui na strokes and manipulations should sedate and disperse the tendon tightness and pain. For spleen disease, tui na strokes should nourish blood and tonify the meridian and tissue. Kongzui (Lu 6) Tai yuan (Lu 9) Yuji (Lu 10) Lieque (Lu 7) Jingqu (Lu 8) Shaoshang (Lu 11) ACUPRESSURE PROTOCOL What local, adjacent, or distal points should be treated for thenar tendinitis? First, to balance the emotional state of individuals who are driven by frustration, resentment, and anger, choose Liv. 3 (liver). For tonifying qi and blood, LI 4 (large intestine) and Lu 9 (lung) can be used together. If there is severe qi deficiency, the additional point St. 36 (stomach) is used, while Sp. 6 (spleen) is often incorporated into the plan to address blood nourishment. In the long run, there is an overwork, because of repetitive strain. Worry and anxiety are the emotional domain of the spleen, according to TCM, while grief and sadness are controlled by the lung. Any one of these emotional imbalances, or a combination thereof, can be the real cause of thenar tendinitis and/or worsen an existing musculotendinous condition. What about the physical functions of the lungs and large intestine, which have meridians that traverse the area of the thenar eminence? The lung is responsible for the health of the skin and acquiring qi. The large intestine is responsible for elimination. When these organs are diseased, their meridians and acupressure points become tender to the touch. The nature of the disease or injury, according to TCM theory, is also important because it determines whether tui na should tonify, strengthen, sedate, or disperse qi in the organs and meridians. For example, "economy" of sorts when using certain points, or combinations thereof, which can also address multiple issues locally and constitutionally. The therapist can also palpate above the wrist along the large intestine and lung meridians for sensitivity in chronic thenar tendinitis. When there is sensitivity, the whole meridian— from origin to its end—should be treated, and not just local points. If there is a general constitutional deficiency manifested in constant fatigue, depression, or lack of motivation, the therapist can treat the Back–Shu points on the urinary bladder meridian. These points include UB 14, UB 17, and UB 20 (urinary bladder), which can address the heart and spleen organs directly by infusing them with qi. The result would be increased circulation and more energy throughout the whole body. On a local level, LI 4 can also eliminate muscular pain, as well as other points in and around the area of the thenar eminence. The therapist just has to rotate his thumb on the point in a counterclockwise direction with very light pressure. The duration of the contact should be about one minute, or until the sensitivity in that area has Resources Chengnan, S. 1990. Chinese with Qi. New York: Viking Press. Liangyue, D. 1987. Chinese Bodywork—A Complete Manual of Chinese Therapeutic Massage. Berkeley: Pacific View Press. Eisenberg, D. 1981. Encounters Book of Shiatsu. Tokyo: Japan Publications. Wimmer, R. 2008. "Thenar Acupuncture and Moxibustion. Beijing: Foreign Language Press. Namikoshi, T. 1981. The Complete Tendonitis and Text Messaging," Acupuncture Today 9, no. 8. Xuemei, L. and Z. Jingyi. 1993. Acupuncture—Patterns and Practice. Seattle: Eastland Press. substantially subsided. There are also Ah Shi points, which translated mean experiential acupressure points that are sore. These are not on any meridian and they don't have a specific name, but when painful, these points can be treated like all acupressure points. After the treatment, there are self-stretch exercises and acupressure protocols the client can follow to allow the qi to flow plentifully again. This involves the client pressing and rotating all along the lung meridian, from the thenar eminence (Lu 10) to the elbow (Lu 5). While educating the general population will be a key factor in preventing texting injuries, the TCM protocol for thenar tendinitis goes beyond simple trigger-point issues to include internal medical conditions that can affect the health of muscle and myofascial tissues. This TCM approach for thenar tendinitis aims to include a mind-body-spirit perspective that targets the real cause of the problem and is preventive at the same time. acupuncture physician and homeopath. For more information, visit www.wolfgangluckmann.com. Wolfgang Luckmann, LMT, is an connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 77